The Town of Ingersoll is responsible for plowing Town-owned roads. In addition to plowing roadways we remove snow from bridges, sidewalks, school crossings, and walkways. For more detailed information on our plowing operations, see Levels of Service below.

Anti-Icing

During the Winter Control Season road crews apply a liquid salt brine mixture to the roads to keep snow and ice from building up and sticking to the road. Anti-Icing makes the roads easier to plow and also reduces the need to use rock salt. These operations are scheduled as weather conditions dictate.

Salting

Salt is an effective material for controlling snow and ice on roads. Granular salt is placed in a 2-metre strip down the centre of the road and combined with vehicular traffic, creates a brine solution which works its way out to the curb enabling the de-icing action.

Quick Facts

Crews clear more than:

150 lane kilometers of roads

60 kilometers of designated sidewalks/walkways

10 designated school crossings

Levels of Service

The Town of Ingersoll clears its roads on a priority system. Primary roads are cleared first followed by local residential streets and courts.

We do our best to maintain municipal roads and sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of snowfall. It may take longer if weather conditions are severe. Infact all roads and sidewalks are cleared within 8 hours from the conclusion of the snow event.

Remember to clear the way! Don’t park on your street until it has been salted or plowed to assist crews in completing operations safely and efficiently.

Roadways

Primary roads are:

roads that carry high volumes of traffic, like Ingersoll and Bell Street

the first to be cleared when it snows upon being aware of the snow event

treated with salt as needed and then plowed continuously until pavement is bare, (note: during times of extreme cold weather sand may be used thus bare pavement cannot be achieved)

Local residential streets are:

maintained after primary roads are complete

treated with sand

maintained as snow packed surface not bare pavement

only plowed when a single storm results in 8 cm or more of snow accumulation

Courts are:

treated in the same manner as local residential streets

have the snow piled on adjacent lawns using loaders when cleared

only plowed when a single storm results in 10 cm or more of snow accumulation

maintained as snow packed surface not bare pavement

Sidewalks

Public Sidewalks

sidewalks are maintained Monday to Friday between 7:00am and 3:30pm

sidewalks are not maintained on weekends or Statutory Holidays

sidewalks are plowed or sand/salted when snow accumulates

icy sidewalks due to a freezing rain event will be treated as soon as staff are made aware

sidewalks are not maintained if:

they are too narrow to accommodate the sidewalk machine

there are obstructions such as utility poles/boxes that restrict the sidewalk machine

Walkways

Public Walkways

Pathways within Town Parks are: not maintained during the Winter Control season with the exception of the pathways through Smith Pond Park and Memorial Park which are maintained by the Public Works during regular Sidewalk Clearing operations.

Parking Lots

Town-Operated Recreational Facility Parking Lots are:

plowed within 24 hours after the end of snowfall (minimum 5 cm). A heavy or continuous snowfall may extend this period to 48 hours or more & sanded or salted as required and on a continuous basis during a snowfall

School Crossings

School Crossings are: cleared and sanded/salted as required after a snowfall

Snow Removal FAQ

How does the Town determine which streets to plow first?

The Town of Ingersoll clears its roads on a priority system. Primary roads (includes arterial and major collector roads such as Thames and Ingersoll Streets) are cleared first followed by local residential streets and courts. Primary service roads carry high volumes of traffic and allow emergency vehicles to move safely throughout the Town. Local residential streets and courts carry lower volumes of traffic.

How do I determine if my street is a primary road?

During major winter storms, when can I expect my street to be plowed?

During major winter storms, crews must concentrate on keeping primary roads clear. After the arterial and collector roads are clear, crews move into local residential streets and courts. We do our best to maintain municipal roads and sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of snowfall. It may take longer if weather conditions are severe as plows may be reassigned from local residential streets to keep primary service roads clear.

Who do I call to log a concern regarding snow removal?

You can call 519-485-0120. All inquiries will be answered on a priority basis.

Which sidewalks does the Town clear?

All Town owned sidewalks that are adjacent to the roadway are plowed as long as they are wide enough to accommodate the sidewalk machine and there are no obstructions such as utility poles or boxes blocking the machines path. Non Town owned sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner to clear the snow and ice.

Can plows minimize the amount of snow left at the bottom of my driveway?

The priority of our work crews is clearing the travelled portion of the road. The only place to move the snow is onto the boulevard, which includes driveways. As a result, snow left at the bottom of driveways is unavoidable.

Why did the plow only clear one side of my street?

The plow travels on the right side of the road with traffic and is therefore only capable of directing the snow one way off the right side of the truck. You may see the plow clear only one side of your street before they are able to safely turn around and return to plow the other half of the street. Please be assured that we will return to clear your entire street.

When does the Town remove snow piles from boulevards?

Snow is only removed when there is no snow storage remaining in that area. Narrow streets such as Duke, Albert, and Church are examples of streets with limited snow storage. Also when sight lines at intersections are restricted snow may be moved from these areas.

Does the Town repair damage done by plowing operations?

The Town will repair damage if it was our plows that did the damage. If the Town is responsible, our standards are as follows:

Boulevard – The Town will use asphalt to repair the driveway portion of the boulevard. The Town will not restore driveway boulevards finished with interlocking brick, or patterned concrete.Lawn – The Town will repair the lawn in the spring.Mailboxes – The Town will replace the mailbox with a STANDARD RURAL mailbox.

For damage inquiries, call 519-485-0120

Is the Town responsible for clearing ice and snow from private parking lots and plazas?

Privately owned lots and plazas are the responsibility of individual property managers. If snow from a private lot is plowed onto a Town street, the property management company may be subject to a fine. To report snow plowed on to street, contact By-Law Enforcement at 519-485-0120.

Why is it prohibited to park on the street overnight during the Winter months?

Parked vehicles can prevent snow removal crews from clearing the roads in a timely and efficient manner. Vehicles parked on the street during this time are subject to a fine and may be towed at the owner’s expense. If parked vehicles are a problem on your street, contact Parking Enforcement at 519-485-0120.

Who is responsible for clearing snow around Canada Post Super Mailboxes?

Canada Post is responsible for clearing the snow and ice around Super Mailboxes. Contact Canada Post at 1-800-267-1177.

Who is responsible for clearing snow from fire hydrants?

The County of Oxford is responsible for clearing snow from fire hydrants. However, property owners are strongly encouraged to clear snow from fire hydrants on or around their property to ensure Ingersoll Fire Service can quickly gain access in the event of a fire. To report a fire hydrant that requires clearing, contact the County of Oxford at 519-539-9800.

Who is responsible for removing snow/ice from Town of Ingersoll parks and recreation facilities?

The Town of Ingersoll Parks and Recreation is responsible for removing snow/ice from pathways, walkways and parking lots in Town of Ingersoll parks and recreation facilities. Contact the Parks Department at 519-425-1181.

How should I place my garbage and recycling out for collection during the winter?

Residents are encouraged to place their garbage and recycling back from the curb to allow snow and waste collection crews to work effectively. For additional information on waste collection, visit the County of Oxford web page or call 519-539-9800.